With her beloved book finally hitting the big screen, Twilight author Stephenie Meyer sat down with EW for an in-depth interview about the Rob Pattinson casting controversy, Breaking Dawn’s mixed reception, the deal with Edward and Bella’s big kiss, and what she’s working on next.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First and foremost, what was it like seeing your story on the big screen? STEPHENIE MEYER: I was terrified for days in advance before I saw Twilight for the first time. I was so worried that it was going to be horrible and break my heart. I’d seen things that were really good, but for all the time I’d spent on the set, I’d probably seen 10 minutes of the movie altogether. So I asked if it was okay if some of my friends watch with me because I have these great friends who are really positive and they love everything! I was really worried about it but we got in there and they put it on and I had my paper and my pen because it was a rough cut and I wanted to give feedback on things I felt needed to be changed. And I didn’t write a single thing down because I was so involved. The characters were speaking the way they should and the heart was there. I could have watched it all night in a loop if I could have.

Why did you demand that Edward and Bella’s big kissing scene be toned down? The problem is if you’re going to continue with the other movies, there’s a very gradual build to their physical relationship. And what Edward is capable of when he first meets Bella changes very much by the time he’s become more committed to the relationship. They reshot the first kiss scene and actually added a special effect and some really cool things that added so much. And it’s the only kiss scene.

You also asked for some minor script changes and insisted on Kellan Lutz’s casting as Emmett. Did you always feel comfortable putting your foot down? My personality is such that I have a really hard time being critical with other people. I can be critical of myself all day long. But I hate to step in and say, ”I really wish this was different.” But it’s been good for me just in general to have to speak up because I am so invested in this. I’ve forced myself, like with the Emmett situation, to take a step forward and say, ”I don’t like this.” And that’s hard for me, but I’m glad of every time I did it and I don’t think I stepped on too many toes and everyone seems to still like me.

What do you think of Rob Pattinson? He’s a very mesmerizing person to be around. He’s got such a compelling personality. I don’t think you’d want him for a boyfriend. And you couldn’t just be his friend because he’s terribly sexy!

Were you worried when fans were outraged over his casting? It broke my heart. Because I’ve had my tiny bit of celebrity, I’m aware of how hurtful those things can be. I apologized to him for ruining his life. He said his mom was sending him links like, ”Oh no, they called you a gargoyle!” They just raked him over the coals. The way he took it was a lot more positive than the way I would’ve handled it. He was like, ”I’m going to prove them wrong. I’m going to go out there and prove them wrong.” The movie hasn’t come out yet and he’s won over 99.9 percent of the people who didn’t approve of him as Edward. And when they see the movie, oh my gosh, there’s no way not to love him! It’s really too bad in some ways because Twilight is going to be limited by the fact that this is a vampire romance and it’s basically aimed at teens. If not for that, his performance in my opinion is Oscar-worthy.